Empathy & Compassion

I finally found the right set of words to express my condolences and convey that I am willing to help in any way I can.  I’ve taken time to think about it and I just sent my message to my former colleagues surviving boyfriend.  The burden I felt is lifted and it’s totally up to him if he wants to respond or not.  I’m certainly not pushing it.  I do realize that if he has questions I will for sure come off as some weirdo but I’m honestly fine with that.  I honestly don’t expect to hear from him but if I do I suspect it will be a simple thank you, which is perfectly fine.  No response at all is also fine. 

I realize that my note is arriving well after the fact and that I am sort of pouring a little salt on an open wound.  People would hear at different times about the passing of my late spouse and reach out, it was nice of them but it also hurt a little bit. 

I feel that I did the right thing to show some compassion and offer a hand.  Just for the record I have no untoward intentions and I am not in the least bit sexually attracted to his boyfriend.  However, he’s a human being and I just want to offer some comfort if I can. 

Middle of the week

Morning!

With all I have been through this week, it honestly feels like today should be Friday.  However, two more days to go.  I will just keep chugging along until I reach the finish line.  I suspect you will do the same. 

I solved one of my big problems at work last night.  My boss is working the other problem because it’s a high profile issue.  He’s pretty stressed and wound up over it.  As long as he keeps that energy away from me I’m fine.  However, I have felt it already.  Perhaps he will be calmer today but only time will tell. 

Right now it’s quiet at work but it’s also still very early.  I fully expect things to pickup and get busier in a bit.  If they don’t for some reason I certainly won’t be upset.  I like quiet and bask in it as much as I possibly can. 

As you might expect I had problems sleeping last night.  I was still upset over learning about my former colleague and wanting to reach out to his boyfriend.  It was really nagging at me not to let it go and to express myself and reach out.  However, this morning I feel a bit better about the decision I made.  I know that I can always change my mind. 

Last night I had Mostaccioli made by the grocery store for supper.  It was okay.  Had some Christmas Cookies as well as the new fusion cookies I discovered – Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.  I love cookies, especially Christmas cookies for the rich buttery flavor.  I know they aren’t good for me and I shouldn’t have them.  However, last I checked I’m still going to check out of this life someday, so might as well enjoy the few things that bring some joy to my world.  Life is way too short as it seems I am constantly being reminded of. 

I had been watching Christmas Vacation when I found out about my former colleagues demise and just paused it.  Last night I finished it up.  I’ve seen the movie many times before and I know I will see it many times in the future.  It’s just one of those things that is fun to watch.  Kind of like Home Alone and Home Alone 2.  Really wish I could go back in time to when Home Alone was just out.  I was so happy then and so much younger & cuter. 

We have cooler weather and it’s being ushered in by wind, lots of wind up to 40 mph.  That started last night and is supposed to continue up to about lunch time today.  At the moment no snow or rain is in the forecast.  Just some temperature fluctuations and as the days go by the deeper into the freezer we are going to go.  Were headed to single digit temperatures.  While we are still in Fall it does feel much more like Winter outside. 

Speaking of which I have let my beard grow.  It’s only been a week and 3 days.  It looks nice but there is way too much white.  I am at the super itchy stage.  Despite face washing and lots of moisturizer.  I am ready to claw my face off, which is when I know I have to part with it.  I plan to shave it off tonight and just know that it will feel so good combined with a shower.  I prefer clean skin but usually only shave once a week.  I am not a fan of shaving at all.  I honestly don’t see how anyone can outlast the itchy stage long enough to grow a beard.  Perhaps eventually the face goes numb or you just get used to it and know not to scratch.  At least for me scratching makes things worse and the more I itch the more I want to scratch it’s a perpetual cycle that never seems to end, hence why I am shaving. 

Here’s hoping that it’s a good day for all of us and that we all stay warm.  Thank you for stopping by, talk with you all again soon!

Fear & Common Sense

I had some time to rationalize things and think my idea through.  While I really want to reach out to comfort the left behind boyfriend, I think that my contact (regardless of what method I use) would cause more questions and possibly not be well received. 

It’s in my nature to want to help people.  While I don’t know what it feels like to lose someone to suicide, I know all to well what it feels like to lose someone you loved be it a person or a pet.  I could commiserate with him and tell him things that worked for me, it might work for him. 

However, I’m afraid that my message just wouldn’t be well received because in the end I’d still be the weirdo that had a crush on a twink and followed him on the web.  I get it, it’s creepy.  That said, I had no malicious intentions and just lusted after someone that I knew I would never have. 

I wish that I would have reached out to him, it might have made a difference but it might not have.  Somethings you are just better off leaving alone. 

Now that I have typed this out, I have to get my mind wrapped around the idea that I’m done.

Back to normal posting, hopefully!

Details

Deeply bothered by the news I learned yesterday evening about a former co-worker and crush of mine.  Curiosity got the best of me and I looked into trying to get a copy of his death certificate.  Turns out not every state is FOIA friendly when it comes to death certificates.  Telling me I can’t have something when I want it, is just motivation for me. 

I found his mom on Facebook last night, just browsed her profile.  I actually started to write her and then realized that I would probably come off as a creep, it probably wouldn’t make me look good.  I aborted that idea. 

Rudy and some truck or a gust of wind woke me up around 5a and I’ve been up ever since despite only getting up to use the bathroom.  I finally gave in to the biscuit maker and got up close to 6:30a.  He was pleased and I couldn’t get food in front of him fast enough. 

I got a couple difficult issues I am working through at work.  One of them required me to do some digging this morning and I found a work around for the person.  The other one is me waiting on the person to get back to me. 

Anyway, I had another idea how I could potentially glean some information that turned out to kind of be a waste, but I just sharpened my web search skills a bit.  Found his boyfriends social media and I got my answer that I really didn’t want.  He committed suicide.  I got the inside scoop and it was graphic.  Turns out his boyfriend is actually only a year older than me, if the results in the web search are accurate.  I honestly feel like calling his boyfriend and am seriously pondering that.  For some reason it feels more right to me. 

I’m just full of emotion right now and know that I need to take a breath before I do anything.  Trying to work and ponder this is proving difficult but work is keeping me busy!

Hope your day is moving along with nothing but good news.  Stay warm and take care!

SUDDEN DEATH

Death has struck again and it’s another young person. A guy that I used to work with passed away back in August. He was only 29 years old, so young and full of life. He also happened to be gay. His life wasn’t easy and I found out some of his struggles. Life was a bit much for him a few years back and he had planned to commit suicide. His name was in the paper, and he was fighting back against a bully, who happened to be a prominent community member. He won his battle and life turned around. Things drastically improved for him.

I know how this sounds but truth be told I was stalking him from a far. He lived far away from me, and we never actually met in person. Professionally we had a couple interactions. From the first time I saw his face I fell in love with him and adored him. I just happened to google his name tonight and that’s how I found out.

All that I can find online is that his death was sudden and unexpected. From what I last knew he met an older guy and was very much in love and quite happy. I was jealous of that guy. He had moved even further away from his hometown, built a nice new life for himself.

Often at work we get notes about former colleagues and friends that pass away. There wasn’t any news about him because he was very much like me a grunt. People knew who he was and knew he was good at his job. Sadly, there was some office politics, and he wound up getting fired. I was upset by that at the time when it occurred, that was several years ago.

I really wanted to connect with him as a friend and be a mentor to him. It never happened mostly because I thought he would think I was some weird older guy. I kind of wish now that I would have made the effort while he was alive.

This was a young person who was in the prime of his life. I know that I could probably request a copy of his death certificate and get it under FOIA, to know what specifically his cause of death was but it’s one of those things that perhaps I am better off not knowing. If I found out that he took his own life it would crush me even further.

I don’t know what if any message the universe or God is trying to send me, but I do feel like there is a message that I am missing. I am deeply upset learning of his death. I hope that he is resting in peace. His poor family and friends, such a shock. I know that anyone of us could go in the blink of an eye and that life is more fragile than we often want to acknowledge.

I hope that this is the last young person I learn has passed away. Sadly, it probably won’t be, but I can hope.

THE WEEKEND

Saturday … I woke up earlier than I needed to be up, but Rudy had to have his breakfast. I thought about going out to eat but between pondering my choices and how cold it was outside; I decided that it would be better to enjoy breakfast at home. So, I went through my normal morning routine of Oatmeal and Milk and had some Christmas Cookies as well as a Banana. Then it was time to hit the shower. Refreshed, I got dressed and headed out to my friend’s shop.

Once I arrived, I was able to sit and carry on a conversation. I arranged service for my vehicle while I am off. Just an Oil Change and general look over. I am early in changing the oil but that is something that I am known to do. That’s supposed to pay off in the end and keep the engine happy. It has worked to my advantage thus far. Still thinking about a new vehicle but I’m pretty sure I’m not going to make any moves. I just don’t want to jump back into car payments.

I saw that time had gotten away from me as it does when I am there. We get to talking and I lose all track of time because I’m having a good time.

Stopped at the UPS store on the way home and returned the broken trash can. Parking was horrible. On to the post office to pick up mail. I knew that I had some medication waiting for me. I was surprised to see a key in my box for a parcel locker. Normally they toss the medicine in my box, it’s large enough as it comes in a poly bag. This has never happened to me, but I put the key in the lock and opened the locker to find it empty. WTF! The post office was closed so there was no one to talk to. I know I could have made some noise and gotten someone’s attention, but I just left. I figured that it would surface next week when someone figured out, they got my medicine by mistake. I was less than pleased but it’s one of those situations where I had to suck it up.

I arrived home to be greeted by the cats who are always pleased to see that their human is back home to tend to their every need. I normally would have loafed, but I opted to get moving instead. Started on laundry and sat in front of the computer. I called the pharmacy to tell them that the medicine wasn’t in the parcel locker, just in case it doesn’t surface next week like I hope. They are shipping it all out to me again by express mail overnight delivery so I should have it come Tuesday. Watch I will have a double batch – not that is the end of the world.

I decided to take the Microsoft plunge and signed up for Office 365. I get a discount through work since we are a decent sized customer of Microsoft. $75 for a year, which I thought sounded pretty good for what I was getting. Mainly what I was after was the natural sounding voice that I have at work in my locally installed versions of the MS Apps to read back to me. I don’t know why but at home my local edition of M365 apps still have legacy robotic voices, even with immersive readers. I can get the updated voice I have at work by using the online version but that seems silly. I have the app loaded locally it should function just like the online version since they are essentially the same thing. Work clearly did something different with their setup.

Took a meal break and went out for Mexican food. I stuffed myself more than I should have. I got my normal dish and then finished off with Churros. They served 4 small Churros with a scoop of Strawberry ice cream. It was good but I don’t know if I will do it again.

I made my way back home and continued to explore and fight with M365. Then I discovered my Apple calendar wasn’t linked any longer and neither were my contacts. That took me a bit but with some uninstalling, rebooting and reinstalling I got things back to the way I wanted them. By now it was late and Rudy was bugging me to come upstairs. Mora was chirping in the chair behind me for the same thing. Once I had solved everything, I grabbed laundry and came upstairs. It was way later than I wanted it to be. I got the bed made, laundry put away. Brushed my teeth, took my wind down pills and that was the evening.

As a side note my trash wasn’t picked up like it was supposed to be. I think they came on Friday morning instead of what they posted on social media that told me it would be on Saturday morning. I’m pissed and have a can full but it’s mostly cardboard so I can survive but I can’t miss this week’s pickup.

Sunday … Rudy wanted to get up at 6a, but I told him we had one more hour. That couldn’t possibly tick by fast enough for him, he was hungry. He laid down on top of me, as if I was going to disappear. 45 minutes later I gave in and got up. I took my sweet time in leaving because it’s all about timing and I needed to make a Target run. They normally open at 8a but since it’s the holiday shopping season they are open at 7a. I didn’t learn that until I showed up and saw the parking lot was more crowded than normal.

Made my way to breakfast. Biscuits and Gravy, 4 scrambled eggs and I threw in a side of extra crispy bacon. I’m not a bacon fan. When I was a kid, my grandfather used to fry it up every weekend. Freshly made was the best and the greasiest. The place I was at knew how to get the bacon extra crispy, and it was good. It just didn’t please my pallet, but I ate every bite of it. Nice to change up a meal and add something different to it.

Hit up Target and the grocery store. Came home put everything away and then settled in my room to watch I think it’s called Heated Rivalry it’s the HBO series about 2 gay hockey players. There is plenty of sex although it’s not nearly as graphic as I was led to believe. Queer As Folk had the most realistic sex scenes. Anyway, this is a series, and new episodes are released on Friday’s so now I have another reason to look forward to Friday. I’ve watched 3 that are out and I am hooked and want more. I really wish they would release the whole series.

House has been cleaned. New trash can arrived yesterday and it was all intact. I switch to it today and wow no more fighting a lid, it’s refreshing and enjoyable. I’m pleased with my purchase and even happier that the replacement wasn’t broken.

I played on my laptop and decided not to go downstairs to my office area. I will be down there enough during the week since I will be on-call. Might as well take a break.

Went out for supper for Italian Food. 2 Cannelloni served with a small side salad and garlic toast. It’s just the right amount of food to satisfy. Then off to the car wash. Home to dry off the vehicle and get it back on the battery maintainer. I checked and it was 95% charged before I put the maintainer on. Not exactly sure why but since it’s gotten older and I don’t drive like I used to it doesn’t like cold weather. It’s hooked up for the week or until I need to go back out. I’m hopeful of being able to spend the week at home.

I am very much looking forward to my time off and thinking of all the things that I need to do around here as well as places to go. I look forward to sleeping in and altering my sleep schedule by staying up later at night. I won’t get too off track because I know that all good things come to an end and it can be tough to readjust. However, having freedom and not being tied to a phone will be nice. Just because we were close to year end, I think I will be checking on things while I am out, even though I shouldn’t think things will go smoother for me if I do and it will make returning a bit easier. It will be bad enough to have to dig out and play catchup but what’s worse is that when I come back, I am on-call again. I have done that before and it’s not fun.

As for now, I am just focused on this week and not looking beyond that, at least not until we are much, much closer to Friday.

Hope you had a great productive weekend. Best wishes for the week ahead. Thanks for stopping by. Stay happy, healthy and warm!

Older than I thought

Morning & Happy Friday!

I’ve seen lots of people posting their Spotify Wrapped.  Normally I get an email when it’s ready but nothing this year.  I opened the Spotify app and mine was there waiting for me.  Something new this year is they rate your age based on the music you listen to.  Apparently I am 62.  That shocked me.  I got into Bob Seger a bit more this year, just thinking about my mom.  He was one of her favorite artists and I discovered some of his music that was new and appealed to me.  This was the second year in a row that Charlie Puth wasn’t my top listened to and favorite artist.  I think and hope that next years Wrapped will show him at my top artist but only time will tell. 

Speaking of Charlie, I forgot to mention that he’s singing the National Anthem at the 2026 Super bowl.  That should be interesting.  He’s also hosting New Years Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.  He’s got a new album due out in March, which I look forward to hearing.  I’m still very much a huge fan of Charlie’s.  He’s got a special place in my heart. 

Music is a common bond that we can share with others.  It can change, alter or enhance mood and I honestly don’t know how I could get through this life without it. 

I’m watching a series new to me on Netflix called Brockmeyer.  It’s very funny and interesting.  It’s about a baseball announcer and his life, he’s a screw up but it’s interesting to follow. 

I have heard about a new Gay Hockey Drama series on HBO that is pretty good.  It’s a weekly series and there is apparently some hot steamy gay sex scenes that are pretty explicit.  I haven’t watched yet but it’s on my list.  I hate coming back for a weekly series like that I like to binge watch. 

Work yesterday was kind of a long day, not a lot going on and just watching a computer screen.  Helping out when I wanted to.  A couple things came my way but it’s slow right now.  Today will be pretty much the same I believe.  I’ve got one dumb meeting to attend that will be a gab fest of my boss yapping just because he loves the sound of his own voice.  I could miss the call if I wanted to but I think that might lead to more questions so I’ll go despite not wanting to. 

Had pizza that I baked in my own oven last night.  It was store bought but for frozen pizza it was pretty good.  I still have a few pieces left over that will probably be lunch.  Thinking of having some Buffalo Chicken tonight to change things up.  Just loaded up the fridge last night with Sprite Zero so in my mind that pairs perfect. 

Worked on getting the trash together so all I need to do today is take the barrel out to the end of the street, that’s an afternoon task because it will be a bit warmer but not by much. 

Rudy got me up an hour early today.  Good thing because the internet was down.  Not something I like to see in the morning but it provided me with some extra time to reboot the modem and try to get my phone connected to my desktop computer.  Thankfully my home connection came back up and it’s been solid for a couple hours so hopefully it will stay that way. 

I hate to include this but it’s just something I am having a hard time dealing with.  Scott Finn’s death really bothers me.  It’s mostly because he was so young, death in general is something that I have a hard time dealing with.  However, when it’s a young person that bothers me even more.  I didn’t know him beyond his screen porn performances but he sounds like quite a great guy.  Really wish that he was still here.  Sounds like he could have used someone to talk to.  Based on what I see from his obituary he was very loved and his very much missed by a lot of people.  While all signs from what I have seen and read point to suicide being the cause of this death, there still has been no official confirmation of that.  It’s a permanent solution to a temporary problem.  It’s tough to see that when your going through something.  I only know that because I’ve been in that situation multiple times in my life.  I’m kind of glad that I stuck around so many good things have happened both with Technology and my life that I would have otherwise missed. 

Hopefully that wasn’t too depressing I just had to let it out.  It helps to talk even if I am just typing and sending it into hyperspace.  I plan to enjoy today as well as the weekend.  Not looking forward to being back on-call but this time next week.  I’m looking forward to my time off.  Already got a shopping list going for Sam’s Club.  Thinking about restaurants that I’d like to visit and looking at new vehicles.  I don’t know that anything will ever quench my new car fever but it is fun to look online.  Some places make it look like they are giving you a great deal but I am not a fan of car dealers.  I know I’m not alone there lots of people dislike them. 

Have a great weekend, enjoy some good food, watch a movie or TV show.  Do something for you!  Relax, you’ve earned it.  Take care and stay warm.  Thank you for stopping by!

Thursday

Morning …

Had an okay evening.  Saw that with a little bit of warmer weather most of the snow has melted from the driveway and sidewalk.  My deck however is still very much snow covered.  You can see paw prints in it from visitors that I have had but the camera oddly hasn’t picked up any of them.  Perhaps it’s hoping for warmth and conserving power, I know that’s how I would be if I was outside in this full time. 

Today the temperature isn’t moving much and it feels like –5 outside.  I will just take the word of the weather person and not venture out to find out.  However, tomorrow I will have to be out just long enough to push the trash can to the end of the driveway.  Normally that would happen today but were running a day behind because they missed us last Saturday due to the weather. 

The forecast says that we will have some rain/snow mix just in time for Sunday morning, it’s not expected to be a lot but just enough to create a mess.  I hope that it passes by us but it won’t stop me from getting out regardless by then I will need groceries!  I won’t get caught up in a panic crowd on a Saturday.  I like early morning shopping when no one is around and I can leisurely stroll through the store. 

Had Chicken Pot Pie last night it was really good.  Finished up the Chocolate Cake as well.  Played with the cats.  Rudy was on fire last night he just didn’t want to stop.  I got him to crawl into his new toy for a moment.  He kept playing long after me and Mora were tired and ready for bed.  I loved hearing him and wished that I could bottle his energy for daytime when I could really use it. 

Made it through the dreaded yappy meeting yesterday.  The boss was in one of those chatty modes where the sound of his own voice sounded great to him.  Meanwhile I just wanted to hang up.  There really was no content of meaning it was just an excuse to get together and gab. 

Thankfully thus far no meetings at all today.  Morning tasks are done and I’ve got one afternoon task that I could do now and just be done for the day and on standby but for now I will keep it lingering.  It’s an excuse to come back to the computer after lunch. 

Going to do my morning web rounds and then head up to be with the cats, watch TV and hopefully take a quick nap.  Rudy had me up an hour early this morning.  I’m not tired, still a short nap sounds so good.  Hopefully no one will bother me and I can accomplish that.  Usually I just nod off and then magically I have to come back to work.

I hope that your toasty warm and doing well.  Be safe and take care!

Scott Finn

Yesterday I posted about the death of adult star Scott Finn.  It was difficult to find any information yesterday morning but by late evening I was able to find his obituary, which you can view here …https://www.providentfuneralhome.com/obituaries/rhett-douglas-messerly 

It really made it worse for me, when I found out that this young man was only 27 years old.  I alluded to the fact that he committed suicide and while that sounds plausible, there has been no official announcement of that by any public official or his family.

What I know is that he announced a while back that he was getting married.  Earlier this year he announced that he was divorced.  He apparently had a hard struggle with that and his life since then was difficult. 

It’s no secret I’ve had my struggles with life, I think it’s just part of being human.  You’ve probably had your struggles as well.  Life isn’t exactly easy and a bed of roses all the time, we all will have problems there is no escaping that fact. 

It just really bothers me that such a young person who seemingly had so much life and brought so much happiness to many is gone.  Sure I only came to know him as a porn star and he did a great job and was attractive to me.  However, behind that persona was someone’s son, brother, uncle and friend – a human.  It’s sad to realize that he is gone at such a young age. 

His funeral is today (December 4th).  I wish I was closer in proximity as I would certainly attend to pay my respects.  I feel sad for his family and friends.  I know that he will be missed. 

While tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us, I hope that you will agree with me that parents aren’t supposed to bury their children.  Death at any age is difficult to cope with but it’s worse when it’s at such a young age and there was so many possibilities that could have unfolded and his life could have gotten better.

Not that I expect his family or friends will see this post but I still express my deepest sympathies.  Rest in Peace Rhett “Scott”. 

Man Candy - Whack It Wednesday

Middle of the Week

Morning …

Just read some shocking and devastating news that former porn star Scott Finn passed away.  Based on what I read at https://www.menofporn.blog/2025/12/passed-away-last-week-scott-finn.html  looks like he committed suicide.  What his friend or relative said [paraphrasing] is that suicide is not a desire to die but a desire to escape the pain.  That’s what I have long said and kind of how I have felt when I have thought about suicide in the past.  Pain or circumstances can be overwhelming at times and you don’t think that it will end or that you can’t get past the pain.  However, Rome wasn’t built in a day and you need to allow time but your mind either doesn’t or can’t grasp that at the time and you just want it to stop.  I get it only because I’ve been there. 

Scott has provided me hours of entertainment watching him in his films and he was a sexy guy in my opinion.  I am really saddened to hear of his passing and hope that he is resting in peace.  He’s been retired for a while.  I was surprised that he got married and even more surprised that it didn’t work out and he got divorced. 

In other news … I got my new trash can yesterday it sadly was damaged in shipment.  Put a Fragile sticker on a package and tell the carrier to handle with care is a sure fire way for the package to get beat all to hell.  It was plastic and not Rubbermaid plastic.  At first I wanted to keep it but the more I thought about it I am sending it back and asked for a replacement.  As an after thought I wished that I would have asked for a refund because chances are pretty good they will send the replacement shipment the same way and it will arrive in the same condition so I will have to repeat this process again.  If that’s the case I will either order a Rubbermaid or go seek a new one at a local store. 

The good news is that UPS driver made it up the driveway and sidewalk with ease.  Just looking at his foot prints in the fresh snow and I can see there isn’t but a dusting out there.  Glad I didn’t get out and try to shovel. 

I moved the cats new toy to a more comfortable spot and they both walked up to it and walked away.  I really thought this was a sure fire thing that they would love it.  There still is time for them to fall in love with it but the more time passes with it here I don’t think that is going to happen.  Selling cat toys is all about hype and damn I shouldn’t have bought into that but I did.  I like my new rule if it costs more than $20 it’s a no go for a cat toy. 

Had White Cheddar Mac & Cheese with Bacon last night for supper.  It was a frozen dinner from Devour Foods (which I believe is a division of Kraft).  They make some good stuff and it’s a nice change of pace once and a while.  I was thinking Chicken Pot Pie or Pizza and leaning toward the Chicken Pot Pie.  That sounds like a winner for tonight. 

Watched the new Christmas Special on Netflix from Matt Rife.  He’s funny, cute & sexy.  Sadly straight as an arrow.  However, that doesn’t stop me from looking.  I got a couple laughs in.  He always is a delight to watch.  Sadly it’s only an hour and that went by way too fast.  If your looking for something to watch I highly recommend it as well as the new Kathleen Madigan special on Prime. 

Still very cold here and we have a chance at some flurries overnight tonight.  It’s not going to warm up until late next week.  Perhaps all of this mess will be melted and gone by the time I am ready to start my vacation. 

Broke the news yesterday to my mistake making colleague that he’s going to have the helm for a couple weeks.  He was surprised that I am taking so much time off.  I told him it was use or lose and I’m not a fan of lose.  Plus he will get a small taste of what I went through when he was out on Paternity leave although sadly I won’t be gone nearly as long as he was.  This is the most time I have taken in succession.  In retrospect I could have planned it better but I am always a fan of taking time at the holidays. 

All caught up on work tasks at the moment.  Time for another meeting later on this morning and then unless something goes wrong I will be done for the day and watching on standby.  I’m savoring in the down time this week because I will be back on call next week just in time for some people to return form their Thanksgiving Coma and others starting to leave for vacation.  I hope that the good outweighs the bad and that I won’t be horribly busy come next week but time will tell. 

Stay warm, take care and be well!

More Snow

Morning …

It was around 11a yesterday morning and sitting in the living room I noticed that it was snowing.  That went on for hours yesterday and we wound up with an additional 5 inches.  It made for some good police scanner listening.  Wrecks were everywhere and people were told to stay put but no one seemed to listen to that advice. 

One of my neighbors across the street came home early from work and he started shoveling his driveway.  He made it look like child’s play.  Just pushing the snow from the top of his driveway to the bottom and then once he was done pushing the pile at the bottom of the driveway up the street.  He’s got a special snow shovel that has a bend in it.  We got more snow overnight and his driveway has a little bit of snow. 

My other neighbor that clears his driveway just backed his truck in the driveway and closed the garage door.  I think he was like me in that I’m done, enough of this already.  His driveway is still snow covered as is mine this morning.  I waffled about going out to shovel but talked myself out of it, there is just no point in it.  I won’t be going out until Friday to set the trash can out.  I won’t leave until Saturday so if there is a problem I can deal with it then. 

Meanwhile I stayed nice and warm, did some new car browsing on-line.  I really want to make a move but am still managing to talk myself out of it for now.  I can continue to save money and be car payment free, that is unless I just can’t resist any longer and wind up giving in.

The cats have lost interest in their Christmas toy.  I put some cat nip in and on top of it last night in the hopes that will draw them into it, just need to wait and see.  They walk over to it sniff and stare at it then walk away.  I think I’m going to set a new rule if it costs more than $20 and it’s a cat toy I’m not buying it. 

Speaking of cats.  Mora didn’t want to leave the couch this morning.  I brought the plate of food to her and managed to cajole her into starting to eat a little bit.  Once she got started I took it away in the hopes she would follow me.  It worked to get her off the couch but she didn’t follow me.  I worry a lot when a cat doesn’t eat, just because I’ve been down that road before and it’s scary.  I’m sure she was just keeping warm and was comfy but she doesn’t miss breakfast as a rule. 

My shoulder was killing me this morning.  I broke out the massager and ran it over my neck and shoulder to help get some blood flowing.  I was able to put the massager up to Rudy and he didn’t move or flinch.  He was in a playful mood, so much so that he decided to start attacking my new pillow and I had to stop him. 

Sleep was good with just some brief wake up and then back to sleep periods.  A strange dream but I don’t remember it now. 

Finished off the Spaghetti from Thanksgiving that I was sent home with.  Just have a little bit of Ham and a small piece of Chocolate cake.  That won’t last long. 

My allergies seem to be on fire so I am headed up for some medicine and going to take it easy for a bit until it’s meeting time.  Based on my calendar today as well as the week as a whole looks to be rather easy.  I hope that is the way it turns out. 

Stay warm and be well.  Take care!

December

Morning

Yesterday was nice staying in after I had been out in the morning.  It was the best decision hands down that I made all day. 

Amazon showed up and I got the cats Christmas present put together.  They are interested in it or at least they were.  Hopefully, that continues. 

Rudy climbed up on a small glass table last night where there are candles, keys and of all things a baseball that I found in my yard a few years back.  He managed to knock the baseball off along with a couple other items and it sounded horrible.  Both cats were jumping around and once I saw the table a mess I knew what happened.  I was just around the corner trying to heat up dinner for me.  Damn cat had me going downstairs to retrieve a baseball. 

Rudy seems to be getting more mischievous as times goes on.  He loves to climb and jump.  I’ve got a couple cat trees but they aren’t quite suited to his needs all the time.  I’d love to know what is going through his mind.  He’s also more affectionate and clingy. 

I had a late supper, really wasn’t interested in eating much since I had a large lunch polishing off the Turkey & Stuffing.  I worked a little bit on the Spaghetti.  There is still enough left for one more meal if I am actually hungry.  I figured out how to spice it up a bit by throwing in some a pizza blend of cheese that I got.  That makes it taste better. 

While I really didn’t want to shave and shower last night that too was a good move.  Then I settled in my chair with the heating pad.  I started with my lower back and gradually moved the pad up until I reached the top.  By then my sleeping meds were starting to kick in and I knew that I needed to get in bed. 

I felt decent and sleepy last night.  Had a strange ass dream but slept until 5a when I was able to roll back over and head right back to dream land.  Woke up just before the alarm was going to go off.  I was too busy tending to Rudy and forgot about the alarm.  Meanwhile I was up and moving in the middle of making my breakfast.  The alarm clock went off and Rudy was all ears.  He wanted to know what the sound was all about.  I turned it off and told him it was my alarm clock, my back up morning biscuit maker. 

Had to turn the thermostat up a degree so it’s nice and toasty in here.  It’s a bit too toasty for me but the cats seem to like it.  Not so bad when I am downstairs. 

I’ve managed to plow right through my morning tasks, despite not really wanting to.  I am glad to be free from on-call and glad that I wasn’t bothered a single time over the long holiday weekend.  Let’s hope that repeats come the last week of the year and into the New Year. 

Right now I am done for the day and the day just got started.  That is unless someone needs me and I’m sure that in a little bit once things get going that someone will reach out.  If not I’m not going to go look for work.  I am going to sit back and enjoy the peace & quiet while it lasts. 

More snow will be moving in later this evening, looking at 1 to 2 inches and it’s all snow.  Both my phone and the forecast on TV now both say that were done with snow after that.  I suppose only time will tell.  Friday & Saturday were supposed to be back in the 40’s for daytime highs but it’s all over the place for lows from 14 degrees to 28.  So it’s still very much Winter like temperatures.

I’ve got to go out and fetch the trash can, apparently they came to pick up trash early this morning.  I’m purposely waiting to give it a little chance to warm up a bit before I go get it. 

Hope you had a great Sunday.  Stay warm and be well.  Talk with you all again soon! Best wishes for the week ahead.